‘At all places of pilgrimage, sale of liquor and meat should be banned’

Phalg Shuklapaksha 11, Kaliyug Varsha 5115

Mumbai : Warkaris and pro-Hindu organizations made a demand with the Guardian Minister of Solpaur and Minister for Water Supply, Professor Lakshmanrao Dhobale that sale of liquor and meat should be totally banned at Shri-Kshetra Pandharpur. Prof. Dhobale said that he felt that not only at Shri-Kshetra Pandharpur; but at all places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, sale of meat and liquor should be banned. He also said that he would try for such ban. H.B.P. Bapu Maharaj Raokar, the President of Rashtreeya Warkari Sena and Shri. Shivaji Vatkar, the Mumbai Coordinator of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) recently met Prof. Dhobale at Vidhan Bhavan. Warkari Sampradaya submitted a representation to the Minister for imposing ban on sale of liquor and meat at Shri-Kshetra Pandharpur as has been done at Haridwar and Rhushikesh.

Warkaris brought it to the notice of the Minister that the Government was not paying attention to providing amenities to Warkaris at Pandharpur. Prof. Dhobale said further that in the background of ‘Ashadhi Waari’, a meeting would be held soon with Warkaris when all their demands would be considered. It was wrong on the part the Government to do injustice to Warkaris. H.B.P. Bapu Maharaj Raokar also brought it to the notice of Prof. Dhobale that Maharashtra Government was deceiving Warkaris on the issue of passing of anti-superstitions Act. A meeting was held on 31^st July 2012 between Prof. Shyam Manav, the National Convener of All-India Andha-shraddha Nirmulan Samiti and its three members with the Minister for Social Justice; wherein amendments suggested by Prof. Manav were accepted by the Government without any changes and a letter to that effect was given to Prof. Manav; but Ministry for Social Justice gave a letter on 9^th January 2013 that all amendments as suggested by Warkaris were accepted by the Government and has thus betrayed Warkaris. The Government has been spreading news that all amendments as demanded by Warkaris have been carried out to the Bill and the Government was misleading people and media by claiming that Warkaris no longer opposed the said Bill. Prof. Dhobale expressed strong displeasure on checking all the papers. He said that it was like an atheist teaching a religious person how to perform ‘puja’ and was quite serious matter; it was injustice to Warkaris.

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat